Tour de France director Christian Prudhomme hopes that changes to this year's race format will provide more suspense. For the first time since 1967, the showcase event started Saturday without its traditional opening-day prologue — the short time trial format that was used by seven-time winner Lance Armstrong to demoralize his rivals. "We need to get out of the stereotype of previous Tours," Prudhomme told The Associated Press, adding that he hopes for more "more mystery" and that the rhythm of the race will be "less predictable". Some riders, such as Norway's Thor Hushovd, were unimpressed with the start. "I consider that as a bit of a handicap," said the Credit Agricole rider, who won the 2006 prologue. "I can hold my own in this discipline, and it is always a chance for the team to get the yellow jersey...
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